Felipe Nasr sets the pace in Barcelona

The first rounds of F1 2015 version on the Catalan track in Barcelona was an opportunity for Sauber to once again put itself in the spotlight. Already in Jerez at the beginning of the month, Felipe Nasr was the fastest of the third Andalusian day, and repeated his performance this morning with a time established in 1’27″307. The Brazilian is ahead la Red Bull RB11 Daniel Ricciardo, who despite a start slowed down by mechanical problems, set the second time of the morning, 56 thousandths behind the C34 and its modified livery. Pastor Maldonado climbs to third place at the wheel of the Lotus E23 Hybrid, despite two stops on the track (with a sensor problem according to the teamenstone), which caused the only two interruptions of the session.

To Lewis Hamilton, the morning had started rather well, but the world champion, ill, was forced to put his foot down. The Briton was replaced in the seat of the Mercedes W06 Hybrid by the German Pascal Wehrlein, who started this Thursday at Force India. It is the Mexican Sergio Pérez who will be entered on the VJM07 in the afternoon.

No problems to highlight at Ferrari for Räikkönen, Toro Rosso et Max Verstappen or Susie Wolff, holder of the best distance covered (77 laps) this morning with her Williams FW37. On the other hand at McLaren, after a solid start and 21 laps completed by the Briton Jenson Button, a problem on the MGU-K of the MP4-30 led to a problem requiring the complete replacement of the Power Unit and automatically put an end to the day for the Woking team. The Spanish Fernando Alonso, who was initially scheduled to run from Saturday, is expected to get behind the wheel tomorrow, but could also be affected by issues, with Honda having announced that the problem will only be fully resolved after the arrival of a new part for Saturday.

Mid-day leaderboard Thursday:

1. Nasr (Sauber): 1’27″307 – 56 laps
2. Ricciardo (Red Bull): 1’27″363 – 18
3. Maldonado (Lotus): 1’27″510 – 48
4. Verstappen (Toro Rosso): 1’27″951 – 35
5. Räikkönen (Ferrari): 1’28″064 – 29
6. Button (McLaren): 1’28″182 – 21
7. Wehrlein (Force India): 1’28″329 – 32
8. Wehrlein (Mercedes): 1’29″286 – 5
9. Wolff (Williams): 1’29″400 – 77
10. Hamilton (Mercedes): 1’30″429 – 11